UN chief announces senior appointments; sets up independent panel on Human Settlements Programme
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:57 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday announced the appointment of senior officials as his envoys dealing with prevention of sexual violence in conflict and for protection of children during such crisis, respectively.
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:56 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): Accessible social and health services, with dedicated human and financial resources must be addressed and made available for persons with disabilities in the new global framework on refugees and migrants, a group of United Nations human rights experts have urged, as UN-led intergovernmental talks on the issue are set to launch consultation in 2018.
Russia blocks Security Council action on reported use of chemical weapons in Syria’s Khan Shaykhun
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:55 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): With a ‘no’ vote from permanent member Russia, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday failed to adopt a resolution that would have condemned the reported use of chemical weapons in Syria and called on the Government to cooperate with an investigation into the incident.
UN agencies welcome EU policy to protect migrant and refugee children
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:55 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): New policy guidance from the European Commission aimed at improving the protection of migrant and refugee children has been welcomed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN refugee agency.
‘Moment of crisis’ in Syria calls for serious search for political solution – UN envoy
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:54 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): In the wake of yet another dire turn in the Syrian crisis, the United States and the Russian Federation “must find a way to work together†to stabilize the situation and support the political process, the United Nations envoy for the war-torn country told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:53 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): A push to establish internationally-agreed standards to keep illegally caught fish off store-shelves and consumers' plates has taken an important step forward, the United Nations agricultural agency, said on Wednesday as a measure aiming to create a “gold standard†for catch documentation nears the finish line.
Illegal armed groups pose 'persistent threat' to Africa's Great Lakes region – UN envoy
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:53 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Africa's Great Lakes region encouraged on Wednesday the countries of the region, and the UN Security Council, to help strengthen the fight against illegal armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its neighbours, particularly as elements of the former M23 rebel group have resurfaced.
Bangladesh executes Huji chief Mufti Hannan, 2 aides
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:38 pm
Dhaka, Apr 13 (IBNS): Huji chief Mufti Hannan and his two associates were hanged in Bangladesh on Wednesday, media reports said.
Canada: Spike in mumps continues in Manitoba
Apr 13, 2017, at 05:27 am
Toronto, Apr 12 (IBNS): The number of mumps in Manitoba could hit 600 before its disappearance, said Richard Rusk, Provincial medical officer of health.
Millions in Yemen on brink of famine, situation ‘close to a breaking point,’ warns UN a
Apr 13, 2017, at 04:38 am
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up its emergency operations in war-torn Yemen to provide urgently needed food assistance to some nine million people, the agency said on Wednesday.
Apr 13, 2017, at 04:37 am
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): While forecasting that growth in the volume of global merchandise trade is expected to rebound this year from its weak performance in 2016, the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Wednesday cautioned that “deep uncertainty†about near-term economic and policy developments in some countries raise the risk that trade activity could be stifled.
On International Day, UN celebrates historic event that opened doors to outer space
Apr 13, 2017, at 04:35 am
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): The United Nations on Wednesday commemorated the International Day of Human Space Flight to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the first human space flight, which ushered in the beginning of the space era for mankind.
'Alarming' rise in use of children in 'suicide' attacks by Boko Haram in Lake Chad region – UNICEF
Apr 13, 2017, at 04:34 am
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): The use of children, particularly girls, by the Boko Haram terrorist group in violent attacks in the Lake Chad region has seen an “alarming†surge in 2017, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported.
Apr 13, 2017, at 02:43 am
Gwadar, Apr 12 (IBNS): A blast in Gwadar city of Pakistan has left at least three people injured on Wednesday, media reports said.
Canada: International activist Malala Yousafzai to receive honorary citizenship
Apr 13, 2017, at 02:27 am
Toronto, Apr 12 (IBNS): Nobel Peace Prize winner and a brutal Taliban attack survivor, Malala Yousafzai would receive honorary citizenship today during a formal ceremony in Ottawa before she addresses the House of Commons, media reports said.
Apr 13, 2017, at 02:25 am
Kabul, Apr 12 (IBNS): At least four people were killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan's Kabul city on Wednesday, media reports said.
Pakistan Army Chief meets PM Nawaz Sharif
Apr 12, 2017, at 11:16 pm
Islamabad, Apr 12 (IBNS); Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met country's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday, media reports said.
Affordable housing is not a distant dream, says Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne
Apr 12, 2017, at 10:46 pm
Toronto, Apr 12 (IBNS): Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said recently that her government will soon rein in the soaring prices seen in the Toronto area housing market.
Canada imposes new air security measures
Apr 12, 2017, at 10:36 pm
Toronto, April 12 (IBNS) Transport Canada, the federal transportation governing body of Canada, imposed new airlines security measures on certain Canada-bound flights on Tuesday.
Canada: NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft detects metal ions in upper atmosphere
Apr 12, 2017, at 10:17 pm
Toronto, Apr 12 (IBNS): NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) spacecraft has detected metal ions in the upper atmosphere (ionosphere) of a planet other than Earth, media reports quoted said Joseph Grebowsky as saying recently.
North Korea is looking for trouble, says Trump
Apr 12, 2017, at 06:11 pm
Washington, Apr 12 (IBNS): As tension between the US and North Korea escalates over a possible nuclear attack from the latter to the former, US President Donald Trump has warned the Kin Jong-un led nation of retaliation.
UN calls for urgent access to reach some 400,000 civilians trapped in Syria’s Ghouta
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:38 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): Voicing concern over the impact of deteriorating security and humanitarian situation on the lives some 400,000 people trapped in eastern Ghouta in Syria, a United Nations spokesperson on Tuesday underlined the need to ensure that humanitarians have unrestricted access to the affected areas.
UN announces first-ever World Ocean Festival
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:37 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): With global leaders heading to the United Nations for a major conference in June on the protection and sustainable use of the planet’s oceans, the UN on Tuesday announced that the inaugural World Ocean Festival will kick off the week-long event, with activists and enthusiasts taking to the streets – and waterways – of New York City to raise their voices to reverse the declining health of our oceans.
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:36 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): Despite long-standing humanitarian access restrictions in Yemen, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the country reported that he has been able to enter Taiz City where, amid some gains, he observed setbacks, particularly as regards the health sector.
INTERVIEW: In new UN role, Malala Yousafzai seeks to inspire girls to stand up, speak out for rights
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:25 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): In 2012, Malala Yousafzai made headlines all over the world when she was shot by the Taliban for speaking out on the right of education for girls. But instead of silencing her, the brutal attack only served to embolden the Pakistani teenager, who has used her voice to promote the right of every child to safe, free and quality primary and secondary education.
Lake Chad Basin crisis is both humanitarian and ecological – UN agriculture agency
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:07 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): Critical investments in agriculture and climate change relief are needed to address the crisis in Africa’s strife-torn Lake Chad Basin, where hunger, poverty and a lack of rural development prevail, the United Nations food security agency said on Tuesday.
Haiti: Recent political advances set stage to address pressing challenges, says UN envoy
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:04 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): Highlighting improvements in Haiti’s political situation, including the recent elections and opportunities to address longstanding disputes, the senior United Nations official in the island nation has urged the international community to continue its partnership with Haiti and its people to help consolidate the gains achieved.
African migrants reportedly being sold in ‘slave markets’ in Libya, UN agency warns
Apr 12, 2017, at 05:03 am
New York, Apr 11(Just Earth News): Hundreds of migrants along North African migrant routes are being bought and sold openly in modern day ‘slave markets’ in Libya, survivors have told the United Nations migration agency, which warned that these reports “can be added to a long list of outrages†in the country.
Millions across Africa, Yemen could be at risk of death from starvation – UN agency
Apr 12, 2017, at 05:02 am
New York, Apr 11(Just Earth News): Warning of increasing risk of mass deaths from starvation in many countries in Africa and in Yemen due to worsening drought and conflict, the United Nations refugee agency has called for international support to prevent the repeat of the 2011 tragedy in the Horn of Africa that claimed more than 260,000 lives.
Pakistan executes two terrorists
Apr 11, 2017, at 11:28 pm
Islamabad, Apr 11 (IBNS): Pakistan have executed two terrorists, media reports said on Tuesday.